South American Freshwater Catfish

Rhamdia quelen is arguably the most widespread catfish in the Western Hemisphere, occurring in rivers from Mexico through Central America and across virtually the entire South American continent to Patagonia. Its plain grey-brown body with a paler underside and long barbels is unassuming, but its hardiness and adaptability make it a remarkably useful aquarium fish.

In the aquarium, R. quelen is an opportunistic omnivore that accepts almost any sinking food. It is more assertive than many small catfish and should not be kept with very small fish that it could consume. It is most active at night but will feed during the day once comfortable.

This species tolerates cooler temperatures than most tropical catfish, making it suitable for subtropical or unheated aquaria in temperate rooms. It is a long-lived, robust fish that rewards consistent care with excellent health and longevity.

Water: 18–26°C, pH 6.0–8.0, very broad tolerance; clean water preferred. Tank: Minimum 300L; sandy substrate, driftwood hiding spots, moderate lighting. Feeding: Omnivore; sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, earthworms, vegetable matter; easy feeder. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; possible in large species setups with seasonal temperature variation. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive; keep with medium-large robust fish; avoid very small species.